The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-05-04
They Hear Numerous Rsmonstrancss Against
the Enforcement Of Section 4.
Relief Asked by the Sugar Planters and the
State Agricultural Societies.
A Petition From the Citizens of Shreve-
port, Louisiana, Who Find Themselves
Peculiarly Embarrassed.
INTERSTATE CoMMERcE.
Meeting of the Commission at New Or
leans, Louisiana,


NEW ORLEANS, May 2.-The Interstate
Commission met here to-day. Judge
Cooley, in opening the proceedings, said:
1T may be well to say at the outset that
the scope of our authority in the premises
is very much limited, and that we do not
purpose to go beyond ii. Our investiga-
tions are under the act, but they are not
for any purpose of questioning the pro-
priety, justice or expediency of that legis-
lation. On the other hand, all that has
been settled for US, and we are here
simply for the purpose of determining the
question whether, in pursuance of that leg
islation, we shall, in certain specified cases
which have been brought to our attention,
make exceptional orders, which shall give
relief in these ceses from the ordinary op
erations of the law. That is all we propose
to do, and all we have any authority to
do"
The commission then heard large num-
Der of petitions for rem0nstrances against
the enforcement of section 4 of the law.
The citizens of Shreveport, La, pre-
sented petition saying that If the fourth
section were enforced against the Texas and
Pacific Railroad the business of the city
would be destroyed.
W. w. Finley, general freight agent of
the Texas and Pacific, corroborated the
statement of the petitioners saying that
the city depends almost entirely on distant
cities for its supply; also, that competition
between the steamboat lines of the Red
River and the railroad had been very
sharp, causing the railroad to reduce rates.
James Crsndall, merchant of Shreve-
port, said: Previous to the passage of the
interstate commerce bill Shreveport was
getting cheap rates to Kansas City, st.
Louis and other points in Kansas and
Missouri, but since its passage they have
advanced 100 per cent"
1. Hardy, assistant general freight agent
of the Queen and Crescent line, stated that,
Immediately on the passage of the bill, the
rates of the Anchor line, between st. Louis
and New Orleans, had been advanced 100
per cent, and between st. Louis and Vicks-
burg, so per cent, ana that, in the suspen-
sion of section 4, for a short time, the rates
had Immediately been lowered.
Governor Sheldon, of the Texas and Pa
cific, stated that some time ago he had
written a request for the suspension of
signed by Commissioner Walker saying
that it would be taken up here. In con-
nection with this Mr.. Finley was again
put on the stand. He named the con-
nections of New Orleans, by both river
and railroad, with Missouri points, and
said that in making connections with
these points and New Orleans the Texas
and Pacific passed through Louisiana,
Texas, Indian Territory, Arkansas, Kansas,
Nebrasks, Iowa and Missouri, and that in
passing through these States large busi-
ness is done in both going and returning,
especially in Texas. This closed the case
on that road.
Frederick Knowland of New York, gen.
eral Eastern agent of the Union Pacific
road, presented the petition of that road
for a suspension of section 4, already sent
in these dispatches. The petition was
granted in the same form as granted to
other transcontinental lines.
A committee of the Cotton Exchange
submitted paper calling attention to dis.
elimination by the Louisville, New Or
leans and Texas Railroad, against New Or
leans in favor of Memphis. The company v
charges 1920 per bale on cotton from
Shaw's Station, which is 124 miles this
side of Memphis, but brings cotton from
Memphis to New Orleans for 65c per bale
on through cotton. and 81 per bale from
Memphis to New Orleans as the terminal
point. The petitioners consider that this j:
contrary to the intent and purposes OF the
interstate commerce act
r. l.. Sanders, of the Jackson, Vicksburg
and Meridian Railroad, read paper favor
| ing suspension of the fourth section.
A protest against the suspension of the
law, drawn up in conformity with reso
| luton adopted at meeting on FRIDAY laSl
| of sugar planters and State agricultural
societies, was presented. G. w. Gibson filed
a petition from the Board of Trade oi
Aberdeen, Miss, asking for a suspension o.
| section 4 over the Illinois Central from
| Aberdeen to New Orleans.
Judge Fentress, general solicitor for the
| Illinois Central, said that that road wa:
not yet prepared to present its case, Du
would do so later, probably at the Memphis
| session or in Washington.
The Southern Pacific, the Louisville and
Nashville, the Mississippi Valley, and
other roads will also present their case
later.
The San Antonio and Arkansas ROAD
asked for a suspension in favor of tina
road. The New Orleans Chamber of Com
merce, Produce Exchange, Sugar Ex
change, Merchants and Manufacturers
Association, and the Mechanics, Dealers
and Lumber Mems Exchange presented
petitions calling for the enforcement of th'
law, and testimony was given IN sup
port of the request.
The steamboat interests were then heard
The commission then adjourned to NEE
4 in Monnhia On WaGnaadav